Bristol's European Green Capital 2015 events unveiled

Bristol will take over from Copenhagen as European Green Capital in 2015

Building a life-size blue whale made out of recycled materials is among 40 events being planned to mark Bristol's year as European Green Capital in 2015.

City mayor George Ferguson said: "It may be about a thousand small things, but it's also about how we save the world for the next generations."

The announcement of the events schedule follows criticism by some councillors over a "lack of transparency".

This led to organiser Kris Donaldson quitting his job after nine months.

BBC Radio Bristol politics reporter Chris Brierley said there had been concerns that the event would become a "damp squib".

But he said: "There are a number of events that look fairly big, but George Ferguson has said it is all about the legacy - and that's the key - we'll see a lot of smaller, community-led projects."

The city is set to inherit the Green Capital title from Copenhagen on 1 January 2015.

The council has said more events will be added to the schedule throughout the year.

Highlights so far include:

• A Greentech camp in which children and teenagers can learn about green technology

• Launch of the world's first solar-powered balloon at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta

• Festival of Future Cities involving artists, commissioned writers and filmmakers